This classic vintage male nude beefcake photograph by photographer BRUCE BELLAS of Los Angeles dates from the late 1940s or early '50s, and features title-holding bodybuilder and pro wrestler PAUL "PEPPER" GOMEZ in a classic studio pose.

Bruce's early sans-serif name and the number "8" are stamped on the reverse.

Paul Gomez
Paul "Pepper" Gomez, was known as "The Man with the Cast Iron Stomach" and was a major pro-wrestling star in the 1950s and '60s. The 5'9", 187 pound athlete started his career as a competitive bodybuilder from 1947 to 1952, placing in the top 10 of the Mr. Los Angeles, Mr. California, and Mr. America contests. He won the title of Mr. Muscle Beach 1950 and graced the covers of the November 1948 Strength & Health and the January 1952 Muscle Power. He debuted as a pro wrestler in January 1953, and won the Texas heavyweight title twelve times from 1955 to 1963. He was also the AWA U.S. champion, the WWA heavyweight champ, and the NWA Pacific Coast Junior heavyweight champion, as well as the winner of tag-team titles with several pro wrestling greats, including Bill Melby. His well-publicized feud with the hated Ray Stevens of San Francisco still holds the record for the largest sports crowd ever at the San Francisco Cow Palace. He died in May of 2004 at the age of 77.

Bruce of Los Angeles
Bruce Bellas was a school teacher in Omaha Nebraska before he motored West and began to produce "beefcake" photography under the name of Bruce of Los Angeles. He specialized in photographing muscular men, from the famous Southern California bodybuilders to Hollywood street trade. A prolific photographer and distributor, Bruce created some of the most classically beautiful and collectible images of the mid-20th Century.

Condition
The 4-by-5-inch vintage photograph is beautifully printed on heavy stock and is in very good condition. Quality and clarity are very good.